Double Headstones | Companion & Family Headstones
A double headstone brings two lives together under one lasting memorial. Fram Monument has designed and hand-carved these memorials for families across Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia since 1922, checking every design against your cemetery's requirements before it's carved.
Double, companion, or family?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are small differences worth knowing as you plan.
Double Headstone
A single memorial placed over two adjoining plots, most often for a married couple, with both names, dates, and a shared or individual epitaph on one stone.
Companion Headstone
Another name for the same monument style. Many families order one name and date now, with the second added later when it's needed.
Family Headstone
Serves a larger group, such as a family estate with three or more burials, often paired with matching footstones or markers for each individual.
Types of double headstones
Beyond traditional and contemporary styling, every double headstone also comes in one of four physical forms. Your cemetery's rules usually decide which ones are allowed on your plot.
Double Upright
The classic tall, freestanding monument set on a base. It offers the most surface area for lettering, emblems, and etching, and reads as the most traditional and prominent option.
Double Slant
A marker with an angled face set on a base, low to the ground but still upright enough to read easily. A middle ground between an upright monument and a flat marker in cost and presence.
Double Flat / Grave Marker
Set flush with the ground, sometimes with a bronze plate on granite. Often required in memorial garden sections and appeals to families who want a quieter, low-profile memorial.
Double Bevel
Also called a pillow marker. Sits low like a flat marker but with a gently angled top edge, giving a bit more presence and lettering surface while still meeting most memorial garden rules.
Two design directions, fully custom either way
Every piece we build is custom. These are starting points, not fixed templates.
Traditional Cemetery MonumentsTraditional
Classic upright granite forms: a polished die set on a base, with arched or serpentine tops, columns, and etched religious or fraternal emblems. This is the most common style for double headstones and tends to meet the requirements of older cemetery sections.
Contemporary Cemetery MonumentsContemporary
Cleaner lines, alternative shapes, dual-tone or colored granite, and detailed laser-etched artwork or portraits, for families who want the memorial to reflect a specific interest or personality.
How much does a double headstone cost?
Because every Fram Monument headstone is custom designed and hand carved in house, we quote each family individually rather than publishing a fixed price list. As a general guide, here are typical ranges.
| Marker Type | Typical Size | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Double Upright | 48"–64" W × 24"–36" H | $5,000 – $7,500+ |
| Double Slant | 44"–60" W × 16"–20" H | $3,500 – $6,000+ |
| Double Flat / Grave Marker | 48" × 18", 4" thick | $3,000 – $4,500+ |
| Double Bevel | 44"–60" W, 4"–8" thick | $1,500 – $8,500+ |
This table is a general guide only. Your exact price depends on size, granite or material, and personalization, and will be confirmed by a design consultant.
Choosing inscriptions for a double headstone
A double headstone gives you room to say more, but the best layouts stay balanced. Most families work from the same handful of building blocks:
- Full names and birth & death years, or dates left blank to add later
- A relationship line, such as "Beloved Husband & Wife" or "Together Forever"
- A shared epitaph or verse centered between both names, or two individual ones
- A family surname carved larger above both names
- Religious, military, or fraternal symbols placed above or between the names
Your design consultant will proof the full layout with you, so spacing stays even even if a second date is added years later.
From consultation to installation
Consultation
Meet a design consultant in person at our Annapolis, Baltimore, or Rockville showroom, or schedule a virtual consultation.
Design & Proofing
Our in-house team designs your monument and walks you through a detailed proof before carving begins.
In-House Carving
Your headstone is carved entirely in our own facility, start to finish.
Installation
Our own crews set your monument at the cemetery and remain available for care and repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
A double headstone is one monument placed over two plots, usually with both names on a single stone. Two single headstones are separate markers, one per plot. Families often choose a double headstone for its unified look.
Yes. Many families order a double headstone with one name and date engraved and the second name pre-carved but left blank, to be dated later. Let your design consultant know you'd like this option.
Most cemeteries do, but size, material, and placement rules vary by cemetery and sometimes by section. Fram Monument confirms your specific cemetery's requirements before production.
Yes. All of our double, companion, and family headstones are custom designed, including granite color, shape, lettering style, and any emblems or etching.
Granite needs very little upkeep. An occasional rinse with clean water and a soft brush is usually enough. Avoid bleach, wire brushes, or pressure washing, which can dull the polish and wear on lettering over time.
Granite is one of the most durable materials used in memorials and can hold its color and detail for generations with basic care. Choosing a quality stone and finish matters more than any single maintenance step.
An upright monument stands tall on a base and offers the most room for detail. A slant marker has an angled face set low to the ground. A flat marker sits flush with the grass. A bevel marker is similar to a flat marker but with a gently angled top edge. Many cemetery sections only allow one type, so check yours first.
Yes. Many families write their own epitaph, choose a favorite verse or hymn line, or ask their design consultant for common phrasing to adapt. It can be shared between both names or written individually.
Reach out through the contact form on our site or call your nearest showroom. A design consultant will walk you through styles, personalization options, and next steps for your family.